"Checkout Hunger" campaign underway | Business

The shelves at the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank are stocked now.

But come July, donations can sometimes decrease dramatically.

Food Bank President Mike Manning says that while there is a year round need for food during the summer they can get more calls for help.

"More than 80 percent of children in East Baton Rouge public schools are on free or reduced lunches and that means during the summer they are not getting those free and reduced lunches so we need help supplementing that so they can continue to develop and group," Manning says.

You can help feed the children while feeding yourself.

On your next trip to the grocery store, you may be asked to purchase coupons. I'ts all part of the Food Bank's Checkout Hunger Campaign.

Several area grocery stores are participating.

Donations come in the form of $1, $3 or $5 coupons.  The money will go directly to the food bank.

"I think when you're  blessed and you give back, it's always comes back," Sharron Ventura says.

The $1 coupon will provide seven meals so a little goes a long way. Officials say last year they raised about $5,000. This year they hope to double that amount.

The campaign runs through mid-July. So the next time you're shopping you may be asked to add a little something extra to your basket.